Viscosity regulator



Sept. 15, 1936. H. T. BooTH VISGOSITY REGULATOR Filed March 26, 1932 .m mw@ Y :E

INVENToR A1roRNEY5 Patented sept. 15, 1936 2,054,238

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VISCOSITY REGULATOR Harry T. Booth, Freeport, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Lubrication Control Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a. corporation of Delaware Application March 26, 1932, Serial No. 601,409

17 Claims. (C1. 12S-196) This invention relates to viscosity regulators Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2; and

and has for an object a simple, efcient, inex- Fig. 4 is a section through a viscosity responpensive and durable apparatus for use in consive device.

nection with the lubricating system of an internal The engine I is provided with a water outlet combustion engine for regulating the viscosity from its jacket to which is connected a pipe Il of the lubricant supplied to the bearings. leading into one end of a chamber I2 supported In an apparatus embodying the invention, the at the side of the engine. A conduit I3 leads from lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine the other end of the chamber I2 to the radiator is delivered from the pump to a valve box having I4. A Coil I5 1S arranged Within the Chamber I2 two outlets, each being connected with a pipe and a coil I6 is arranged around the chamber coil, one of the pipe coils being arranged Within I2. A valve box I'I is mounted 0n One end 0f a chamber included in the cooling system bethe chamber and has outlets communicating with tween the engine jacket and the radiator and the coils I5 and I6. A pipe I8 leads from the the other coil being arranged around said chamlubricant pump (not shown) into the valve box ber. The two coils discharge into a conduit lead I'I. A valve I9, in the form of a pStOn, iS Sllding to the bearings. In the valve box there is ably mounted in the valve box or casing I'I and provided a valve adapted to close eithei of the in one position closes one outlet with the other outlet ports, this valve being operated by presopen and in another position it closes the secsure developed in a viscosity responsive device ond outlet with the iirst outlet open. thus @Stabconnected to the discharge conduit. lishlng connection between the pipe I8 and the 20 'Ihe oil flows solely through the inner coil extwo coils I5 and I6. The coils I5 and I6 discharge cept when its viscosity tends to decrease below a into a. conduit 20 leading to the bearings of the predetermined value, whereupon oil is diverted engine. through the outer coil in sufcient quantity to A viscosity meter consisting of a viscosity resupply oil of desired viscosity to the bearings. sponsive device 2l and a pressure gauge 23 is 25 During the initial period of operation of the connected to the pipe 20 and has an outlet pipe engine, the viscosity of the oil is high and the 22 discharging into the sump of the engine I0. oil is directed through the inner coil and also The pressure developed in the viscosity responduring the Same period, the temperature of the sive device during its operation is applied to the water delivered from the engine jacket to the gauge 23 through the medium 5f a, pipe 24 lead. chamber is higher than that of the oil passing ing from the meter to the gauge. A pipe 25 thIOugh the inner COl and the Oil iS heated by leads from the pipe 24 to the valve box I1 to the water, thereby decreasing the viscosity of the which it is connected in such manner that the 0il- After a PerOd 0f Operatin, the temperature pressure developed in the viscosity responsive deof the oil exceeds that of the water and then vice 2| is applied to one end of the valve I 9, A the water tends to cool the oil to prevent undue spring 2B bears against the other end of the valve decrease of its viscosity. Should the viscosity of I9 and tends to oppose movement of the piston the oil tend to decrease below a predetermined under the influence of the'pressure developed in value, a portion of the oil is diverted through the the viscosity responsive device as well as to re- 40 exterior coil in which it is air cooled to increase store the piston to original position after having 40 its viscosity. When the viscosity of the oil debeen moved by the pressure. An adjusting screw livered to the bearings tends to increase above 21 is provided for regulating the pressure exertthe predetermined value, the amount of oil died by the spring 26. verted through the exterior coil is decreased and When the engine is at rest there is no pressure the amount of oil iiowing through the inner coil developed ln the viscosity responsive device and 45 is correspondingly increased. the valve I9 is maintained by the spring 26 in Other objects, novel features and advantages of such position that the port leading to the coil I6 this invention will be apparent from the follcwis opened and the port leading to the coil I5 is ing specication and accompanying drawing, closed. When the engine is started. the viscosity wherein: of the oil is high and a high degree of pressure 0 Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an automobile enis immediately developed in the viscosity respongine equipped With a ViSCOSity regulator embOdysive device 2l, which pressure being applied to ing the invention; the valve I9 moves the same against the action Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of of the spring 26 into the position shown in Fig.

the regulator, a with the port leading to the con le closed and 55 the port leading to the coil I5 opened, thereby directing the oil through the coil I5. During the initial period of operation of the engine, the water delivered from the engine jacket to the chamber is of higher temperature than the oil and therefore heats the oil, tending to reduce its viscosity. The pressure developed by the viscosity responsive device thereupon diminishes but remains suilicient to maintain the valve I9 in the position, shown in Fig. 3. Continued operation of the engine results in an increase in temperature ofthe oil above that of-the water so that the water then tends to cool the oil to prevent undue decrease of viscosity. Should the oil viscosity continue to decrease the pressure developed in theI viscosity responsive device will further diminish until it permits the spring 26 to actuate the valve I9 to tend to open the port leading to the coil I 6 and to tend to close the port leading to the coil I5. A portion of the oil is then diverted through the coil I 6 in which it is air cooled, thereby tending to cause increase in its viscosity. As the viscosity of the oil in the conduit 20 increases, the pressure developed by the viscosity responsive device increases thereby tending to return the valve I9 to the position shown in Fig. 3 to reduce the flow through the coil I6 and increase the flow of the oil through the coll I5. A repetition of the cycle above outlined maintains the viscosity of the lubricant approximately at a predetermined value, the value being dependent upon the pressure developed by the spring 26, which pressure can be regulated to meet different conditions. When the engine is stopped the viscosity meter ceases to developv pressure and the valve I9 is again moved to the left under the influence of the spring 2B to its original position.

The above described apparatus maintains the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine approximately at a predetermined viscosity value irrespective of the initial viscosity rating of the oil and irrespective of dilution. The water of the circulating system tends to maintain the oil at such temperature that its viscosity is maintained approximately at a predetermined value and the air cooled coil vprovides supplemental means for maintaining the oil at approximately the desired viscosity value in the event that the viscosity of the oil tends to decrease below the predetermined value. Drainage ports 28 are provided in the valve box I 1 and discharge either into the atmosphere or into a receptacle such as the oil reservoir. These drainage ports permit the escape of any oil which may work past the piston I9 and thus prevent the development of any back pressure which might interfere with the proper operation of the valve.

The viscosity responsive device 2| consists of a. housing divided into three chambers by partitions 29 and 30. A pipe 3| leads from the pipe from the left hand chamber 20 to the middle chamber and the pipe 24 leads to the pressure gauge 23, the pipe 22 leading from the right hand chamber. The partition 29 is provided with an orifice 29a, the resistance of which to liquid flow is substantially independent of the viscosity of the liquid and a friction tube 33 leads from the left hand chamber to the right hand chamber, the resistance of the friction tube to liquid ow being dependent upon the viscosity of the liquid. The partition 30 is provided with a port which is adapted to be closed by a spring actuated valve 34, this valve serving to maintain %onstant pressure in the middle chamber. Oil is supplied to the middle chamber through the pipe 3| and flows through the oriiice and friction tube at the same rate an'd is then discharged into the right hand chamber from which it is discharged through the pipe 22 into the sump and constant pressure is maintained within the middle chamber by means of the relief valve 34, the pressure of oil in the pipe 3I being at all times greater than the pressure required to actuate the valve 34. As constant pressure is maintained in the middle chamber, oil is supplied to the orifice at constant pressure and is independent of viscosity and the rate of flow through the orifice and the friction tube is the same, the pressure of the oil in the left hand chamber is a measure of the rate of ow through the friction tube and is a function of the oil viscosity. Change in the oil viscosity results in change of pressure applied to the gauge 23 and to the piston I9 to control flow through the coils as above explained.

Although the invention has been specifically disclosed as applied to the lubricating system of an internal combustion engine, it is to be understood that the invention is applicable to any liquid system in which accurate viscosity regulation is desired. It is, of course, further understood that various modifications may be made in the structure of the system without in any way departing from the spirit of the invention as delined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with the lubricating system of an internal combustion engine, a plurality of means for attemperating the oil in the system and discharging into a common conduit, means for flowing oil through said conduit under pressure, a viscosity responsive device including a chamber wherein the pressure of oil flowing therethrough is a function of its viscosity, a branch pipe leading to said chamber from said conduit, valve means for controlling flow of oil through said attemperating means, and means for applying pressure developed in the chamber directly to said valve means to actuate the same.

2. In combination with the lubricating system of an internal combustion engine, a plurality of means for attemperating the oil in the system and discharging into a common conduit, means for flowing oil through said conduit under pressure, a viscosity responsive device including a chamber wherein the pressure of oil flowing therethrough is a function of its viscosity, a branch pipe leading to said chamber from said conduit, a reciprocating valve for controlling iiow through said attemperating means, means for applying pressure developed in the chamber directly to one end of said valve, and means for applying pressure to the opposite end of said valve.

3. In combination with the lubricating system of an internal combustion engine, a plurality of means for attemperating the oil in the system and discharging into a common conduit, means for flowing oil through said conduit under` pressure, a viscosity responsive device including a chamber wherein the pressure of oil flowing therethrough is a function of its viscosity, a branch pipe leading to said chamber from said conduit, a reciprocating valve for controlling ow through said attemperating means, means for applying pressure developed in the chamber directly to one end of said valve, and resilient means bearing against the opposite end of said valve.

4. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a'cooling system, a chamber as its resistance to ow.

forming part of said cooling system, a coil of pipe in said chamber, a coil of pipe exterior of said chamber, a conduit into which both of said coils discharge, an oil supply pipe, a valve box having ports communicating with said coils and with said pipe, a valve mounted in said valve box, means for flowing oil through said conduit under pressure, a viscosity responsive device including a chamber wherein the pressure of oil flowing therethrough is a function of its viscosity, a branch pipe leading to said chamber from said conduit, and means for applying pressure developed in the chamber directly to said valve to actuate the same.

5. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a cooling systenaachamber forming part of said cooling system, a coil of pipe in said chamber, a coil of pipe exterior of said chamber, a conduit into which both of said coils discharge, an oil supply pipe, a valve box having ports communicating with said coils and with said pipe, a reciprocating valve mounted in said Valve box, means for ilowing oil through said conduit under pressure, a viscosity responsive device including a chamber wherein the pressure of the oil ilowing therethrough is a function of its viscosity, a branchpipe leading from said conduit to said chamber, means for applying pressure developed in the chamber directly to one end of said valve, and means for applying pressure to the opposite end of said valve.

6. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a cooling system, a chamber forming part of said cooling system, a coil of pipe in said chamber, a coil of pipe exterior of said chamber, a conduit into which both of said coils discharge, anoil supply pipe, a valve box having ports communicating with said coils and with said pipe, a reciprocating valve mounted in said valve box, means for owing oil through said conduit under pressure, a viscosity responsive device including a chamber wherein the pressure of the oil flowing therethrough is a function of its viscosity, a branch pipe leading from said conduit to said chamber, means for applying pressure developed in the chamber directly to one end of said valve, and resilient means bearing against the opposite end of said valve.

7. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a cooling system, a chamber forming part of said cooling system, a coil of pipe in said chamber, a coil of pipe exterior of said chamber, a conduit into which both of said coils discharge, an oil supply pipe, a valve box having ports communicating with said coils and with said pipe, a valve piston arranged in a cylinder provided in the valve box, means for flowing oil through said conduit under pressure, a viscosity responsive device including a chamber wherein the pressure of the oil flowing therethrough is a function of its viscosity, a branch pipe leading from said conduit to said chamber, a pressure `carrying pipe leading from said chamber to one end of said cylinder and a resilient member exerting pressure on said piston tending to move the same in one direction.

8. A fluid system comprising two fluid paths, a conduit into which said paths discharge, means for flowing iluid through said conduit under pressure, `attemperating means in one path, valve means movable back and forth for controlling flow through said paths, viscosity responsive means including a chamber wherein the pressure of the fluid flowing therethrough is a function of its viscosity, a branch pipe leading from said conduit to said chamber, means for applying the pressure in said chamber to said valve means to actuate the same in one direction, and resilient means opposing such movement of said valve means.

9. In a fluid system, a valve casing, two passageways communicating with said valve casing, a conduit into which fluid owng through both passageways discharges, a valve member in said casing movable back and forth to control flow through said passageways, a heat exchange device in one of said passageways, a viscosity responsive device including a chamber wherein the pressure of the fluid flowing therethrough varies with its viscosity, means to flow iluid from said system through said viscosity responsive device, a third passageway connecting said chamber and said casing for applying pressure developed in said chamber to said valve member to move it in one direction, and yielding means opposing such movement of said valve member.

10. In a fluid system, two passageways, a valve casing having ports communicating with said passageways, a. heat exchange device in one of said passageways, means for flowing oil through said passages under pressure, a valve member movable back and forth in said casing to control flow through said ports, a conduit into which said passageways discharge, means for flowing fluid through said conduit under pressure, a viscosity responsive device including a chamber wherein the pressure of fluid flowing therethrough is a function of its viscosity, a branch pipe leading from said conduit to said chamber, and a pipe leading from said chamber to said casing for applying to said valve member the pressure developed in said chamber.

l1. In a lubricating system for internal combustion engines, a, heat exchange unit, a conduit leading to and away from said unit, means for flowing oil through said conduit under pressure, a bypass around said unit, viscosity responsive means including a chamber wherein the pressure of oil flowing therethrough is a function of its viscosity, a pipe leading from said conduit to said chamber, the junction of said bypass and conduit lying between said heat exchange unit and the junction of said pipe with said conduit, a valve for controlling flow through said heat exchange unit and bypass, and means for applying the pressure in said chamber to said valve to eil'ect movement thereof.

12. In a lubricating system for internal combustion engines, a heat exchange unit, a conduit leading to and away from said unit, means for flowing oil through said conduit under pressure, a bypass around said unit, valve means for controlling flow through said unit and said bypass and comprising a casing having inlet and outlet ports, a. valve piston movable in said casing, viscosity responsive means including a chamber wherein the pressure of oil flowing therethrough is a, function of its viscosity, a pipe leading from said conduit to said chamber, the junction of said bypass and said conduit lying between said heat exchange unit and the junction of said pipe with said conduit, and connections between said chamber and said casing for applying to said valve piston the pressure developed in said chamber.

13. In a fluid system, two fluid paths discharging into a conduit. a heat exchange device in one path, means for flowing fluid through said conduit under pressure, a casing communicating with said fluid paths, a piston in said casing for controlling iiow through said paths, a viscosity responsive device including a chamber wherein the pressure of fluid owing therethrough is a function of its viscosit a branch pipe leading from said conduit to said chamber, a pressurecarrying pipe leading from said vchamber to one end of said casing, and a resilient member tending to oppose movement of said piston in one direction.

14. In a uid system, two fluid paths, a heat exchange device in one path, a conduit into which said paths discharge, valve means for controlling ow through said paths, a chamber having a port comprising a friction tube and another port comprising an orifice, means for owing iiuid through said conduit to one of said ports at constant pressure, andv means for applying to said valve means the fluid pressure in said chamber.

15. In an oil circulating system, an oil path, a heat exchanger in said path, a by-pass around said heat exchanger, viscosity responsive means exterior of said path and communicating therewith exterior of the ends of said 'by-pass and including a4 chamber wherein the pressure of the oil flowing therethrough is a function of its viscosity, and a valve movable to and fro to control iiow through said heat exchanger and having veloped in said chamber.

HARRY T. BOOTH. 

